
Book.. 



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COPYRIGHT DEPOSnV 



MONEY ISLAND, 

ANDREW J. HOWELL, Jr. 






JUN n 1908 

•i o ^ 5" O^ 1 
COPY 3, I 



Copyright, 1908. 6y 
ANDREW J. HOWELL, JR. 



CommeTcial Prmting Co. 
Wilmington. N. C 






f 



CONTENTS: 

Pa^e. 
Money Island 5 

The Conquest of Jamesby 61 




The Little Island Among the Marshes 



MONEY ISLAND. 



This is the story of the buried treasure 
on Money Island, which lies in Greenville 
Sound, not far from Wilmington, North 
Carolina, It was told by Mr. Jonathan 
Landstone many years ago, and is a part 
of another story which follows, and which 
will explain something further about the 
mysterious little island that blinks in the 
sunlight and tries to hide its secret. The 
words are Mr. Landstone's and were writ- 
ten by him, to make sure that the story 
would be told correctly when the time 
came to publish it. 



MONEY ISLAND. 



(Mr. Landstone's MS.j 

My grandfather lived in Charleston, 
S. C. My home is in Philadelphia. In 
my boyhood 1 visited him several times. 
He was a tine old man, and was very fond 
of me. He used to tell me many stories 
of the good old colonial days. He said 
his father was a pirate; but that pirates 
in those day s were gentlemen. Although 
they made game of the King's revenue 
on the high seas, it was regarded as noth- 
ing very wrong; and, although they 
played havoc with the Spanish shipping, 
it was but the assertion of a time-hon- 
ored right of Englishmen, who never did 
love Spaniards. They were, many of 
them, ingloriously hanged, it is true, but 
it was by the King's otficers, and not by 
the people. 

However, not to defend pirates, or in- 
deed to condemn them, I will tell you 
what my grandfather narrated about his 



MONEY ISLAND. 



father, who was Capt. John Redfield. He 
was a gallant seaman, who consorted with 
Charles Vane and other doughty corsairs 
of those days of romance upon the seas. 

When Captain Kidd forsook the King's 
commission to run down the pirates on 
the American coast, and organized his 
formidable squadron, Captain Redfield 
was chosen as his trusted counsellor, to 
accompany the brilliant leader on his ad- 
ventures, He gave up his own ship, and 
was with Captain Kidd on many voyages, 
being entrusted with many a commission 
of importance. 

One fine spring morning, while off the 
Carolina coast, Captain Kidd was pacing 
his deck, enjoying the warm splendor of 
the early sunshine. -He had just re- 
turned from a successful voyage among 
the Spanish colonies of the south, and 
was gaily attired after the manner of a 
Spanish cavalier. He wore a cocked hat, 



8 MONEY ISLAND. 



decked with a yellow band and a black 
plume, and a coat of black velvet which 
reached down to his knees. His trousers 
were blue, and were adorned by large 
golden knee-buckles. He wore massive 
silver buckles on his shoes. With his 
well-proportioned body, neatly trimmed 
beard, and steady, alert eyes, he present- 
ed as tine a picture of a man as could 
have anywhere been found. His manner 
had the dignity and repose of a beneficent 
prince, as he gave his orders for the day 
and received the salutations of his men. 
The ship had passed the Cape of Pear, 
and was making in towards the shore- 
line, which Captain Kidd was observing 
with great interest. 8ome near-by point 
was evidently the destination. At length, 
at his orders, the sails were lowered and 
the anchor dropped. "We will lie here 
to-day," he remarked, "and have a little 
rest." 



MONEY ISLAND. 



This information met the ready appro- 
bation of the men, who soon disposed 
themselves in careless groups about the 
ship. They knew it would be a day of 
idleness; because there were no forays to 
be made upon the land, for the reason 
that there were no human habitations in 
those parts. To the buccaneers the lo- 
cality was well known as furnishing a safe 
retreat when retirement from active work 
was desired. 

During the day there were singing, 
dancing, feasting. It was a day such as 
only a gallant corsair could have with 
his merry crew. The hours sped swiftly; 
and at dusk anchors were weighed, and 
the ship moved a few miles to the north- 
ward. 

Captain Kidd, standing at the prow, 
called Captain Redfield to him. "Cap- 
tain," said he, "I wish to entrust you 
with a most important service. I am 



10 MONEY ISLAND. 

somewhat overstocked. I have not failed 
to be generous to the men; but still I do 
not feel at ease for a journey to New Eng- 
land. You appreciate the situation. I 
wish to make a deposit; and, as our in- 
terests along the coast are now begin- 
ning to be extensive, I desire to detail 
you as a resident of Carolina to keep an 
oversight for me. You will live on this 
coast near the location of to-night's de- 
posit. You will find the climate agreea- 
ble, and other things favorable. I will 
hand you for your own use, in case of 
need, gold to the value of one thousand 
pounds. Is it agreeable, Captain?" 
**Aye, sir; your wishes are my orders." 
**Then, swear by the Holy Virgin that 
you will faithfully watch over the stuff; 
that you will not touch the chests or their 
contents, nor give any information or 
suggestion that might lead any one to 
their discovery — in fact, that you will 



MONEY ISLAND. 1 1 

not disclose to any one the object of your 
residence in this secluded place." 

Captain Redfield doffed his hat, and. rais- 
ing his right hand, said, "Captain, I so 
swear." 

*Tour hand with the oath, Redfield. 
You are a trusty fellow, and I hav e the 
fullest confidence in you." 

"Thank you. Captain." 

"But, hold," Captain Kidd continued in 
his great benevolent voice, '•! had forgot- 
ten the conditions. They are: You are 
to keep the engagement, if necessary, for 
five years. Our calling, as you know, is 
a little uncertain. At the end of that 
period, if I have not returned, you will 
be at liberty to take up the smaller chest 
to be deposited to-night, and use the con- 
tents, subject to such division — not to 
exceed one-half to each of us — as I may 
demand on my return. The same condi- 
tions will apply to the other chest for an 



12 MONEY ISLAND. 



additional period of five years. In the 
event, however, of any special need, I 
may send an order for some of the stuff. 
But look you for my signet. See!" And 
he drew from his pocket a piece of resin 
upon which he had stamped his signet. 
"Keep that to prove the genuineness of 
my written orders. Is everything satis- 
factory, Kedfield?" 

* 'Everything is satisfactory, (Jap tain." 
Captain Redfield was a man of stalwart 
build. His height was six feet or more, 
and his movements were quick and firm. 
His face was beardless and wore an ex- 
pression of stability and energy. 

The two stood for some time upon the 
prow of the ship, and discussed the lo- 
cality of the proposed hiding of the pre- 
cious booty,. Then Captain Kidd called 
two men by name, who promptly respon- 
ded. He said, *'l have trusted you in 
times past, and I desire to do so again. 



MONEY ISLAND. 13 

I believe yoa will not betray niy confi- 
dence. We are going to niake another 
deposit to-night. 1 have long had the L - 
cation in mind. Now, swear by the Holy 
Virgin that you will not disturb the stuff 
yourselves, nor in any way aid or abet 
any one else in doing so " 

They swore with deep earnestness. 

The gioup continued there awhile, un- 
til the moon rose and shed its silver splen- 
dor on the rolling water about them, 
touching the white-capped breakers with 
a soft and magic radiance as they dashed 
upon the near-by beach. 

Then orders were given for the lower- 
ing of the boat. 

Captain Kidd proceeded to the lockers 
of the ship, which opened into his cabin; 
and, with the aid of Captain Redfield, 
drew forth two iron chests. These he 
carried to the outer deck, and carefully 
lowered them to the boats by moans of 



14 MONEY ISLAND. 

ropes. From a respectful distance the 
sailors who had no hand in this work 
watched the proceedings with eager in- 
terest. 

Firearms, shovels, and axes were then 
placed in the boat. Pour rowers took 
their positions; and Captains Kidd and 
Redfield climbed down the rope ladder, 
and sat in the stern. Everything was 
ready, and word was given to ply the 
oars. 

8oon the ship became a mystic shape 
in the dim distance; and, as the inlet was 
entered, it was lost entirely to view. By 
tortuous passages among the marshes, 
they drew up at the island— Money 
Island. 

'^Island the fourth!" said Captain Kidd 
Jocularly. "Magnificent indeed will be 
the buccaneer's castie in Merry England 
when they all give up their wealth! Ha, 
a fine life this; but I suppose as fine a 



MONEY ISLAND. 15 

one when the retired merchant from the 
South Seas brings his well-earned fortune 
to a corner of old England. Not Captain 
Kidd then, men, but John So-and-So, a 
wise and revered merchant. Ha! Do 
you see the game?" 

The sailors sprang upon the land and 
pulled the boat well in from the water. 
The officers stepped lightly ashore, and 
railed against the low-lying branches, 
whi(;h whipped their faces. The trees 
were thick and low, making passage be- 
neath them arduous and slow. However, 
the whole island was small and soon tra- 
versed; and, finally, a spot was selected 
as being accessible and suitable to the 
purpose. 

Two deep holes about ten feet apart 
were dug, and the chests brought and 
deposited within them. Some of the 
earth was replaced; and then they sought 
two small trees to plant above the chests. 



16 MONEY ISLAND. 

This was accomplished slowly and care- 
fully, so that the growth of the trees 
would not be stopped. 

At length the task was completed; and 
the little island bore within its bosom 
wealth sufficient to buy an earldom. The 
silence of the dreary solitude sealed the 
secret; and there was no man who might 
discover it, other than those who laid the 
chests in their earthly hiding place. The 
moon gave testimony to the hidden treas- 
ure, and bore its silent witness through 
the many decades that followed. 

Upon leaving ^^he island, they rowed 
to the mainland, which was but a short 
distance away; and there Captain Red- 
field hid in three places in the ground 
the money which Captain Kidd had sup- 
plied him for his own needs, and as com- 
pensation for his services until his return. 
The axes and shovels, also, were secreted 
in the woods. 



MONEY ISLAND. 1 7 



It was past midnight when they re- 
turned to the ship, which set sail at 
break of day towards the north. By 
sunset they reached Albemarle Sound, 
the rendezvous of some companion buc- 
caneers; and there waited for several 
days, feasting and engaging in jovial pas- 
times. 

Meantime, a small sloop was procured 
for Captain Redfield; and, having been 
supplied with necessary provisions and 
household comforts, and manned by four 
sturdy men who knew naught of the bur- 
ied treasure, but engaged for the service 
on goodly pay, it sailed for the captain's 
new home near Money Island. 

Up(»n reaching their destination, the 
pioneer residents set to work at once to 
construct temporary quarters, and were 
soon provided with a comfortable house. 
According to the plans of the Comman- 
der-in-Chief, the men who accompanied 



18 MONEY ISLAND. 

Captain Kedfield were to understand that 
they were to engage in any service that 
might come to hand. They were to cle^ir 
the land and till it, build houses and 
fences, and do such other work as might 
tend to prepare the locality for a more 
permanent settlement in case it should 
be desired to inaugurate such an enter- 
prise. 

The sloop gave them communication 
with the outside world, enabling them to 
visit Charleston, where a colony had been 
lately planted, and the several settle- 
ments to the north. It also afforded Cap- 
tain Redtield opportunity to find a wife, 
whom he brought to Kindout, as he 
styled his new home. There the party 
lived in the quiet enjoyment of a life with 
nature, which abundantly supplied, dur- 
ing the frequent periods of recreation, 
every facility for hunting, fishing, and 
other sports. 



MONEY ISLAND. 19 

One year passed, and another reached 
its seventh month; and the party had ex- 
perienced nothing to arouse more than a 
passing interest. There had been no vis- 
itors to their settlement, not even an In- 
dian. 

On one October morning, however, a 
ship was seen lying off the inlet. This 
was a sight which caused a considerable 
stir among them. Captain Redfield de- 
bated the question within himself wheth- 
er or not it was the ship of the Comman- 
der-in-Chief, and if it would be wise to 
go out and pay her a visit. But he hesi- 
tated, not wishing to jeopardize the com- 
mission imposed upon him. 

Finally, a boat was seen approaching 
the shore, bearing a flag at its prow. In 
due course this was recognized as the en- 
sign of Captain Kidd; and everything 
was hastily arranged to receive the lead- 
er with due honor and welcome. 



20 MONEY ISLAND. 

As the boat drew near, though, it was 
discovered that he was not among the 
occupants; but on a seat at the stern, and 
with dignified mien, sat Max Brisbau, an 
old shipmate of Captain Redfield's, and 
a former companion in the service of 
Captain Kidd. 

Brisbau alighted, and. extending his 
hand to Captain Redfield with suave com- 
placency, stated that he had come upon 
a little service for Captain Kidd, and 
would later communicate his object. He 
showered courtly attentions upon his 
host, who exhibited unfeigned pleasure 
in welcoming him. 

The visiting boat's crew consisted of 
six men, who enjoyed the companionship 
of Captain Redfield's assistants, mingling 
with them in their various pursuits. All 
the graces of hospitality were generously 
displayed, and mirth and good cheer 
possessed the men. 



MONEY ISLAND. 21 

In the afternoon Captaia Rediield was 
entertaining his guest in his private room, 
Brisbau said he wo a id now advise him 
regarding the commission upon which he 
was sent; which was, in fact, none other 
than the execution of an order from Cap- 
tain Kidd for the two chests that he had 
secreted in that neighborhood. Captain 
Redfieid was to be awarded a generous 
portion, and his arduous service as guar- 
dian of the treasure would terminate. In 
the name of Captain Kidd, he graciously- 
extended thanks for the faithfulness 
which Captain Rediield had shown in the 
discharge of his duties, and gave him as- 
surances of the high esteem and confi- 
dence of the gallant leader. 

The words were very pleasing; but 
Captain Redfieid hesitated to make an- 
swer. *'It may or may not be true," said 
he after a pause, *'that Captain Kidd has 
buried possessions iR this immediate lo- 



22 MONEY ISLAND. 



cality. It is not to be denied that he has 
secreted treasure along the coast, but 
where? That is the question, 1 have 
some knowledge of the hiding place of 
some of it, but must have some written 
order over the signature and seal of the 
Captain to warrant me in disclosing it." 

Brisbau promptly responded that he 
had such a communication from Captain 
Kidd, and proceeded to draw it from an 
inner pocket of his coat. He failed to 
find it, and with a great show of annoy- 
ance and a sudden recollection, he ex- 
claimed with an oath that he had left it 
on the dressing table on his ship. 

What was to be done? He would send 
immediately out to the ship, and have the 
paper brought to him. No, that was 
hardly worth while. He assured Captain 
fledfield that he would hand him the pa- 
per on their return to the ship, with Cap- 
tain Redfield accompanying him. 



MONEY ISLAND. 23 

That, Captain Redfield replied, would 
hardly be satisfactory. His obligation 
was to give information as to the hidden 
treasure only upon a well attested writ- 
ten order from Captain Kidd. Brisbau 
cajoled, implored, and vehemently as- 
serted the injury to his feelings which 
the foolish reluctance of his friend caused 
him. 

B}^ intuition, Captain Redfield became 
convinced, on account of a certain weak- 
ness in the attitude of Brisbau in defend- 
ing his request, that there were deceit 
and treachery in his conduct. Therefore, 
he coolly stated his determination to 
make no movement in the matter without 
the authority about which he had spoken. 

At this Brisbau rose in great anger and 
exclaimed, *'I shall have the money, or 
your life will be no more than Jack Ket- 
tle's, who flaunted his opposition before 
Captain Kidd himself!" 



24 MONEY ISLAND. 

Hardly had he spoken when Captain 
Redfield in the flash of a thought for self- 
preservation, sprang upon him. Brisbau, 
equally as quick, met the onset and 
moved as best he could to avoid the 
grasp that threatened him. 

They were quite alone. Redfield was 
entirely unarmed, but his opponent wore 
a sword at his side, with pistol and knife 
hanging from his belt. Having made the 
assault, the only safety for Redfield lay 
in his gaining the ascendency over his 
opponent by sheer physical effort, to en- 
able him to keep Brisbau from using the 
weapons at his side. He missed the 
hold around both arms which he had 
planned, but firmly secured Brisbau's 
right arm, while his own right hand 
grasped the other's wrist. These advan- 
tages he succeeded in holding, although 
he could do nothing towards disarming 



MONEY ISLAND. 25 

Brisbau or binding him more securely as 
a captive. 

They struggled long and furiously. 
Redfield, whose position required his ut- 
most exertion, gradually became ex- 
hausted; but he had a desperate deter- 
mination to win the mastery over Bris- 
bau, who was likewise weary from the 
struggle and doggedly angry. He feared 
a result disastrous to himself if he gave 
his opponent an opportunity to use his 
weapons. 

Finally ,_ just at a critical moment, Mrs. 
Kedfield appeared. She started at the 
sight which met her eyes; but, seeing 
the situation at a glance, she ran back 
into the room out of which she had come, 
and quickly reappeared with a rope. 
With a woman's ready wit, she had found 
the means of bringing victory to her hus- 
band. She threw the rope around Bris- 
bau's shoulders and wound it over his 



26 MONEY ISLAND. 

arms until he was powerless to resist fur- 
ther. He was then easily bound and tied, 
body and legs, to a chair, grumbling his 
angry displeasure at the turn of affairs. 

Captain Redfield paused a little while 
to recover his balance, and sat down 
to cogitate the matter of the disposition 
of his prisoner; and, also, to watch for 
the return of his men from an excursion 
they had gone upon for the entertainment 
of their guests. They were slow in com- 
ing, and an annoying suspicion grew up- 
on him. He could not tell what the at- 
titude of Brisbau's men might be; or if a 
conflict between them and his own men 
were to occur, what consequences might 
ensue. At any rate, he wished to avoid 
such a conflict if it were by any means 
possible; but he feared it could not be 
done. His good wife was greatly con- 
cerned, and urged upon him some amica- 
ble settlement with Brisbau, even to the 



MONEY ISLAND. 27 

delivery of part of the treasure; for, after 
all, she thought, his claim might be just. 

An hour later, one of Captain Redfield's 
men returned; and, to his great dismay, 
informed him that an agreement had been 
made with the visiting seamen which 
would affect their standing with him, but 
would work him no harm. He said that, 
upon the arrival of the other men, the 
matter would be discussed with the Cap- 
tain, and meantime he would take no 
steps toward providing a defense for him 
in a conflict which was not likely to oc- 
cur. 

This disclosure was startling, and a 
shock to the spirit which had upheld 
Captain Redfield. His first impulse was 
to attack the man for what he considered 
the basest treachery, but he desisted. 
Parley with him he could not. He could 
only await the consequences of the com- 
pact which had been hinted at. But up- 



28 MONEY ISLAND. 



on one thing he was determiLied — not to 
disclose any knowledge of the secreted 
treasure without first having in hand the 
credentials from Captain Kidd which he 
had demanded. His honor had been 
pledged to such a course, and he would 
not forsake his trust. 

The men came. But they looked with 
indifference upon the bound prisoner. 
There was no display of the strong feel- 
ings which had been anticipated. The 
situation was obvious. So far as Captain 
Redfield was concerned, he felt that he 
had been forsaken, betrayed. There was 
no man who stood with him. In vain he 
pleaded with his men to stand by him in 
his defense against a most dastardly plan 
to wrong him. He then inquired their 
attitude towards Brisbau, and received 
an evasive answer. 

At length he gave up the struggle, and 
sought to learn the purpose of the men 



MONEY ISLAND. 29 

who had all now gathered before him; 
those of his own company, and those who 
had come with iirisbau. One of them as 
spokesman, a new-comer, informed him 
that he and his friends had accompanied 
Captain Brisbau for the purpose of secur- 
ing some of the buried treasure, which 
was known to be in that neighborhood; 
and they intended to find the booty be- 
fore leaving. He also stated that Captain 
Redfield's men, upon learning about the 
hidden treasure, had agreed to become 
confederates; and that their master would 
be treated in every way as a friend, and 
be given a full share of the treasure, pro- 
vided he would properly inform them and 
Captain Brisbau, whom they intended to 
release immediately, as to its location. 
If he for any reason should refuse so to 
favor them, he and his wife would be 
treated as prisoners, and dealt with as 
might seem best — until, of course, he 



30 MONEY ISLAND. 

would consent to aid them in their project. 

The response that came was firm and 
uiimistal^able. The brave custodian 
averred that he would not betray his 
trust, even in the very face of death. 
Nor did days of urging and threatening 
turn hiui from his purpose. 

Brisbau was released, and given to un- 
derstand that the men were in control of 
affairs; and that his animosity towards 
Captain Redfield muht cease. 

The woods were scoured for the treas- 
ure. Days passed, and weeks, and the 
search was incessant; but there was no 
discovery made. Captain Redfield and 
his wife, now prisoners in chains, were 
urged and implored; but he could not be 
persuaded to give the information, al- 
though the m.ental tension he suffered 
was almost unbearable. 

One day on a sudden determination, 
Brisbau set sail with his men and com- 



MONEY ISLAND. 31 

panioiis, together with the prisoners. 
His purpose was to take a short cruise 
and then return; meantiine allowing Cap- 
tain Red field a further opportunity to dis- 
close his secret; otherwise— and he re- 
peated his threat made upon his first day 
at Rindout. 

The ship stopped at Charleston, and, 
almost immediately upon its arrival, it 
was seized under a suspicion of piracy, 
and a search made for evidences of the 
unlawful traffic. The prisoners were re- 
leased through some favor of the author- 
ities, but Brisbau and his men were im- 
prisoned, in the hands of the king's of- 
ficers their lives were in great jeopardy, 
but they finally escaped the scaffold. 

As to Captain Redfield and his wife, 
the unexpected release was a most wel- 
come boon. For her he had felt the ten- 
derest and most agonized solicitude. The 
temptation to acquiesce in the demand of 



32 MONEY ISLAND. 



his captors and thus free her from the 
trying situation came often to hira with a 
weight under which he ahnost broke 
down. When it was over, the joy of iree- 
dom was as great as the suiTering had been 
wiiile they were prisoners. He lived 
thereafter at Charleston, and soon out- 
grew the suspicion with which he was 
at first regarded, of having been connect- 
ed with the buccaneers. He determined 
to settle down to an honest, industrious 
life. My grandfather was born soon after. 
Captain Redfield was never afterwards 
known to refer to anything connected 
with a pirate in conversation with any 
one; and I have never learned whether 
or not he ever afterwards visited Rindout. 
I know he was wealthy; but then he 
worked hard and saved his earnings, and 
I do not believe he increased his store from 
the hidden chests on Money Island. The 
story I have now written he told to my 



MONEY ISLAND. 33 

grandfather in his old age, and, upon re- 
lating it, he urged the greatest caution in 
his use of it. 

Twice my grandfather made unsuc- 
cessful efforts to find the chests. He 
urged that I, his grandchild, should keep 
the knowledge of the treasure as a fami- 
ly heritage; but that 1 might do as I 
liked ab(»ut it. After giving the subject 
very careful thought, I have now given 
up the secret of Money Island, and have 
not withheld a single detail which was 
told me. Of course, nearly a century and 
a half has elapsed since the precious 
booty was hidden. The story, therefore, 
is old, but I do not believe it has suf- 
fered from age. Captain Kidd was exe- 
cuted in London not long after the hid- 
ing of the treasure, and his associates 
gave up their old calling; and probably 
no one has since disturbed the precious 
chests. 



34 MONEY ISLAND. 



Now, as to when I first heard Mr. Land- 
stone's story. It was when I was a boy 
in the early forties, and the events con- 
nected with its telling have modified its 
conclusion, as will presentl}^ be seen. I 
have heretofore spoken very little of the 
subject to any one; and when I have 
done so at all, it has been to one or two 
intimate friends as a matter of particular 
confidence. In my old age, however, I 
am going to let my tale forsake its hid- 
ing-place and become public property. 

My parents owned a summer home on 
Greenville Sound not far from Money Is- 
land. To us children it was the very 
heart of life. The best pleasure of the 
year was confined to the four months spent 
there from the first of June to the last 



MONEY ISLAND. 35 

day of September. We rowed, sailed, 
fished, swam, hunted, frolicked, and ran 
the whole gamut of youthful delights. 
Those good days are yet vivid in memory ; 
and it is a matter of regret with me that 
my grandchildren — as fine boys and girls 
as ever lived — cannot have the same wild, 
wholesome fun at the Sound as fell to my 
lot when I was a boy. 

The time that I now speak of, howev- 
er, was about the middle of May, the 
balmy m^onth of soft breezes and bright 
flowers. I had been particularly studi- 
ous in school, and my father agreed to 
let me spend three days at the Sound in 
company with a young friend. We ar- 
ranged our food supply, took the old fam- 
ily rockaway, and set out early in the 
morning, as happy a pair of boys as ever 
started on a project of pleasure. 

After spending an hour or two at the 
Sound house, arranging our fishing tackle 



36 MONEY ISLAND. 

and looking after the boats, which had 
been hauled up for the winter, we started 
out on a sail towards the beach. It was 
a fine day for sailing, and the breeze bore 
us away as smoothly and quickly as if 
we had been in a balloon. As we passed 
Money Island, we observed a boat moor- 
ed on the south side, and tried to locate 
the occupants; but we could see nobody, 
and concluded that it belonged to a fish- 
ing party who had, for some reason, left 
the boat tied there. 

We sailed on; and when we had gone 
perhaps half a mile away. I happened to 
turn arouad, and was surprised to see 
two men stealthily embarking in the boat 
with what appeared to be shovels and 
rods of some kind. This sight was too 
much for our youthful imagination. So 
we decided at once to change our course, 
and essayed to follow at a distance the 
movements of the other boat. This we 



MONEY ISLAND. 37 

had no difficulty in doing; and we after- 
wards learned that we were successful 
in our efforts to avoid the suspicion of 
purposely following it. 

The men sailed down the Sound a short 
distance to the south, and made for the 
shore in a little cove at a somewhat se- 
cluded place. 

We were familiar with the locality, and 
decided to wait until later for a closer 
observation. Accordingly, we bore once 
again toward the beach, and enjoyed an 
hour watching the breakers roll upon the 
shore, and in picking up curios, such as 
are always to be found upon the sea 
beach. 

Upon our return, we passed close to 
the little cove into which the boat had 
gone, and could readily discern through 
the trees a tent not far inland ; in front of 
which were seated the two strangers, 
watching a pot hung over a fire made up- 



38 MONEY ISLAND. 

on the ground. This excited an addition- 
al flutter of wonderment with us. In- 
deed, what we had seen, coupled with 
the current tradition regarding Money 
Island, soon wrought us up into a fever 
of excitement; for it was very sugges- 
tive of a search for the treasure on the 
island. 

I had heard from my early childhood 
that Captain Kidd, the historic and lord- 
ly pirate, who reigned supreme upon the 
high seas during the seventeenth centu- 
ry, was supposed to have buried some of 
his booty on Money Island. Everybody 
was familiar with the tradition; and I 
doubt if there is, even now, a single per- 
son reared in the town of Wilmington, or 
in the vicinity of the Sound, who has not 
likewise been told the same indefinite 
story about the little island. But the 
presence of these two stangers, and their 
somewhat mysterious conduct, gave the 



MONEY ISLAND. 39 

tradition a touch of reality such as it 
could never have otherwise had. 

We concluded that these men had evi- 
dently some positive information on the 
subject, and were showing their confi- 
dence in that information by prosecuting 
a search for the hidden trea«ure, at much 
trouble and expense. This was clear to 
us, and we talked the matter over that 
night with eager interest. We surmised 
every possible case that might have fur- 
nished the strange visitors with a work- 
ing clue to the discovery of the treasure. 
Speculation ran high. But there was one 
thing that we became agreed upon, and 
that was, to become, if possible, parties 
to the secret enterprise. We pondered 
with boys' shrewdness how this should 
be done. This we could not decide upon; 
but we determined to play a venture to- 
ward the desired end. The attitude of 
innocent curiosity seemed best suited to 



40 MONEY ISLAND. 

our purpose. So we planned to draw up 
at Money Island in the morning if we ob- 
served that the men were there; and to 
approach them in an unsuspicious man- 
ner, as if we had just happened to stop at 
the Island without any definite motive. 
This should work as a capital ruse, and, 
we felt confident, it would initiate a con- 
nection on our part with the mysterious 
search. 

That point settled, we concluded to in- 
vestigate the tent and its occupants as 
well as we might under the cover of dark- 
ness, and we promptly set out upon that 
project We approached within a hun- 
dred feet of the tent, and saw the men 
still sitting in the light of the fire at the 
tent door; but there was no discovery of 
importance. They were merely talking 
quietly and carelessly about some ship 
that one of them seemed to be interested 
in. We could hear their conversation 



MONEY ISLAND. 41 



distinctly, and we were also able to take 
a good observation of their appearance. 

One of them was a man upwards of six- 
ty, of robust build and gray hair and 
beard. He had a kind face, which bore 
the aspect of one accustomed only to the 
quieter walks of life, unfamiliar with ad- 
venture and ill-suited to an enterprise 
such as they were now apparently en- 
gaged upon. The other man had a 
weather-beaten face with a long nose, 
and a swagger of manner which betoken- 
ed the sailor. This, we afterwards learn- 
ed, had been his occupation. We watch- 
ed them for about an hour; but finally 
withdrew in the hope of making a bet- 
ter acquaintance in the morning. 

Soon after daylight we began eagerly 
to watch for the boat, which appeared 
around a bend in the Sound after the lapse 
of an hour or so and headed straight for 
the Island. We loitered about the yard 



42 MONEY ISLAND. 

a little while longer, and then made ready 
our yacht without any appearance of 
haste. 

On setting sail, we made for the beach; 
but, upon reaching there, turned back at 
once and sailed for Money Island in an 
indirect course. We soon reached there 
and stepped upon the shore. The men 
immediately dropped their implements. 
They returned our salutation pleasantly. 
We observed with much surprise the dis- 
turbed state of the ground and the holes 
which had been dug; and then began to 
make inquiries as innocently as we could 
as to their object. Our plans of the night 
before began to work successfully. 

By sheer force of persistence, we won 
our way into their confidence, and work- 
ed with them until late in the afternoon. 
For they were indeed on a determined 
search for Captain Kidd's buried treasure. 

We were in constant expectation of 



MONEY ISLAND. 43 

— ' ' ■ ' ' . ' » 

discovering the chests of gold — two iron 
chests, which Mr. Landstone, the elder 
gentleman, assured us he felt positive 
were there- But the discovery was not 
made, and they said this had been the 
fourth day of labor on the Island. 

The conclusion was reached that, either 
the surrounding water had encroached 
upon that portion of the Island where the 
treasure had been buried, and had thus 
imposed an almost impossible barrier to 
its being unearthed; or that the chests 
had become imbedded beneath the mas- 
sive roots of two dwarfed old oaks which 
stood gnarled and storm -worn in the cen- 
tre of the island. To the task of remov- 
ing these trees the men felt entirely un- 
equal after their days of work; and, 
therefore, it was decided to wait a day 
or two, and approach the task of doing so, 
if at all, with renewed spirit. 

Upon invitation, we boys accompanied 



44 MONEY ISLAND. 

the men to their camp and had supper 
with them. We were entertained by sto- 
ries of adventure and travel, of sea voy- 
age, of Indian warfare; and, finally, after 
several requests of Mr. Landstone, with 
the story of Money Island. He said he 
would tell it upon condition that its se- 
crecy would be kept inviolate, at least 
for many Years. 80, in the weird light of 
a large pine-wood fire among the trees, 
we had the story of Money Island, told 
in the living voice of a capital story-teller, 
in almost the same words as are used in 
the MS he gave me that night, and which 
has now been publicly printed. 

When Mr. Landstone finished, we boys 
sat in breathless amazement, overcome 
by the glamour of romance which the 
story had thrown around the mysterious 
little island. 

The old sailor forgot his pipe, which 
turned over and dropped its contents to 



MONEY ISLAND. 45 



the ground. "Aye, sir," he exclaimed, 
**we will surely uproot those trees in the 
morniug!" And that became the decis- 
ion of us all. 

I remember that, after a long pause, I 
asked, to reassure myself, *'Mr. Land- 
stone, do you really believe that story?" 
He laughed and said, *'Well, you see I 
am on an undertaking I have had in mind 
for nearly fifty years. Yes, I believe 
those chests are there." 

That was enough. I did not sleep an 
hour that night; and the next morning 
we were early at the task of searching 
for the treasure. And a stupendous un- 
dertaking it proved to be. All day we 
labored at one tree. The roots were mas- 
sive and wide-spread, and the work of 
cutting and removing them required the 
utmost exertion. Finally, just before 
sunset, we completed the task, and began 
to dig for the treasure in the earth belov^r. 



46 MONEY ISLAND. 



Already water had begun to percolate 
into the hole, and ere we had gone much 
deeper, it flooded it so that we found it 
impossible to continue the excavation. 
Then we resorted to our sounding rod 
agaiu for a last ray of hope, and almost 
immediately it struck something hard! 
Our spirits rose within us. 

I tore off my clothes, and jumped into 
the water. After working for some time, 
with the aid of a shovel, I brought to the 
surface a piece of rusty sheet iron. Noth- 
ing more could be found. We gathered 
round the worn sheet of metal, and held 
a solemn consultation. 

The conclusion was reached that the 
piece of iron which we found was in real- 
ity a part of one of Captain Kidd's chests, 
which had become rust-eaten and crum- 
bled, and which had been torn asunder 
by the growing roots of the tree, and 
parts of it carried in various directions by 



MONEY ISLAND. 47 

thePxi as the3^ J^ad spread, scattering the 
contents through the ground. 

We became aniiuated with a new pur- 
pose; and the old sailor seized a shovel 
and began vigorously to throw more 
earth from the excavation; but darkness 
vvas falling, and we urged him to wait 
until the next morning. 

*'What about the sand already thrown 
out?" some one exclaimed at this junc- 
ture. The suggestion had hardly been 
offered before we all bent forward, and 
thrust our hands into the pile of wet, 
black sand lying about us. 

I at once felt something round and sug- 
gestive. '*Look at this!" I cried. It was 
a blackened gold coin! In the darkness 
we hurriedly sifted the sand with our 
fingers; and each one soon found several 
pieces of money. 

With feverish energy, we thus labored 
until late in the night, meeting with con- 



48 MONEY ISLAND. 

stant success; and, when we stopped, ev- 
ery one had a precious pile to carry back 
to the shore. The coins were all corroded 
and misshapen through the action of the 
&alty mud in which they had lain, and 
the disturbance caused by the roots of 
the trees. A few silver coins were found, 
but all were in a very worn condition; 
some being little more than ragged discs 
of the thickness of paper. Others, or 
the remains of them, crumbled into a 
black powder at the touch of our fingers. 
The gold was in better preservation; and 
we secured a goodly store of it 

Vv^e secreted our treasure in the woods 
on shore, and early the next morning re- 
turned to our work. I can well remem- 
ber our exultant feeling as we set out in 
our boats. *'Boys," Mr. Landstone called 
out, as we were sailing over the narrow 
stretches of water toward the island, 
**how do you feel?" 



MONEY ISLAND. 49 

'*I feel like— like— " I answered, rising 
in ray seat and lifting my hat to eheer« 

•*None of that!" he said quickly— but 
I knew I was about to express the excited 
feeling of us all. 

As to our further success, 1 would say 
that it W8S unabated during nearly the 
whole day, I think we secured every 
piece of precious metal that had been 
buried beneath the tree. The following 
day we uprooted the other tree, but failed 
to find any trace of more booty. We 
concluded that the remaining chest had 
probably been removed; but that is still 
an unsettled question. 

Besides the coin, we had discovered the 
remains of much silver plate; but it was 
of little value, being almost entirely de- 
stroyed. But the gold— there was an 
abundance of it, and we were all made 
rich! 

In the meantime our parents appeared 



50 MONEY ISLAND. 

on the scene to learn the cause of our 
protracted absence from home. It is 
needless to say that there was no rod of 
correction held over us that day. 

If I had taken care of my share of the 
treasure as I should have done after my 
father's death, I would be living in luxu* 
ry and comfort to-day; but, even regret- 
ting my poor judgment, I can now thank 
a good Providence that 1 have been sus- 
tained through a long life, which has had 
an undue share of misfortune, by the 
splendid fortune which came to me in 
that happy May of long ago. 




'The decaying hulks of blockade runners that rise 
a little here and there above the waves" 



THE CONQUEST OF JAMESBY. 



I reached home for tea a little late, and 
saw my young friend Jamesby in the back 
yard where he had gone to admire ray 
fowls, in which I take a just pride. Old 
Henry, my colored servant, was playing 
the part of host; for there was no one 
else at home. When I made my appear- 
ance, the chickens had evidently become 
a matter of secondary interest. 

Jamesby, a rising young banker of the 
city, was sitting on an empty box near 
the fence, and Henry was standing before 
him, leaning upon his cane, chuckling 
and talking in his customary deferential 
manner, which has always made him a 
very acceptable servant about my prem- 
ises. 



52 CONQUEST OF JAMESBY. 

I approached without being observed, 
and did not hail them, for 1 did not wish 
to intrude too suddenly upon what ap- 
peared to be a very amusing subject of 
conversation. 1 heard Jamesby say 
laughingly, *'Why, it was in the paper 
this morning — five or six columns of it! 
It was a great big yarn. I can't imagine 
why he never told you anything about 
it." 

I knew what they were talking about. 
I was well aware that 1 had told my tale 
of Money Island for publication; for had 
I not been sought after by men, women, 
and children for every imaginable expla- 
nation and sidelight relating to the story 
which might have been omitted from the 
MS furnished the printer? And had I 
not been asked to repeat by living voice 
facts in the narrative which I had writ- 
ten, as I thoaght. with entire clearness 
in the published story? The boys had 



CONQUEST OF JAMESBY. 53 

all read the story, and I had been put to 
my wits' end to answer the questions 
asked by them ; but I had assured several 
of them that if they would take a copy of 
the paper, go to the Island and there read 
it on the very spot where the treasure 
had been buried, and then and there take 
a careful survey of the situation, there 
would be no difficulty in their compre- 
hending even the slightest detail. This 
seemed to me to be a very sensible sag- 
gestion; and I suppose some of them will 
carry it out. 

While I really enjoyed the experience 
of having entertained so many people 
that day, I was fairly well fatigued when 
I reached home, v/here I thought I could 
at least be quiet and free from the con- 
stant inquiries of interested friends. 

But here was Jamesby with designs 
against me! He had dashed my fond 
hopes of rest; although he was somehow 



54 CONQUEST OF JAMESBY. 



always considerate and endurable. I 
could never become impatient with him, 
even if I knew he was going to make de- 
mands upon me for more information 
concerning Money Island. 

**What is Uncle Henry telling you, 
Jamesby?" I asked on drawing closer to 
them. 

**Oh,"he answered in a somewhat self- 
conscious manner, "he was about to tell 
me of an experience of his in money dig- 
ging." 

Now, I had heard old Henry tell that 
story before. It was one which seemed 
to justify his very sober ideas as to money 
getting by any other means than by one's 
daily work. 

*'Well, Henry/* said I, taking my seat 
also on the box, *'did you really ever dig 
for money?"— as if I had never before 
heard him say anything about it. The 



CONQUEST OF JAMESBY. 55 

implied doubt would, I knew, make him 
all the more ready to talk. 

He replied promptly, with a grin of in- 
terest, '-Yes, sah, cose I tried money 
diggin'." 

Then he paused as if to await an invi- 
tation to proceed. *'Go on, UncJe Hen- 
ry," urged Jamesby. 

Henry shifted his position, and, lean- 
ing upon his cane from another angle, 
went on: *' 'Twas dis away. Once upon- 
er time me an' John Gomus an' John 
Flowers, we was round at Mr. Holmes' 
stables, right back of Mr. Kidder's whey 
I uster keep my horse and kyart; dere 
was woods right dere den, sah, an' a 
gravej^ard; an' 1 had a horse and kyart of 
my own. So one evenin' an ole white 
'oman come fum de Sound, an' she tole 
us that a sperit had done tole her whey 
some money was buried; an' she wanted 
us to come d(»wn dere and dig it up; she 



56 CONQUEST OF JAMESBY. 



couldn't dig for it, but she knowed whey 
'twas- -de sperit had tole her. So we got 
togedder and made a club to go down — 
three of us. De place was on Wrights- 
ville Sound, not iur from Mr. Wright's 
place. 

*'De sign was, dat one read de Bible 
back'ards, and no one speak— all hadter 
go by signs, an' dat'd keep de sperits fum 
pesterin' us. John Gomus, he had de rod 
goin' roun', an' foun' a place to stick n. 
I dunno why he stick it whey he did. 
De rod pinted right down dere; and right 
whey de rod pinted we digged. When 
we commence diggin', it was about half- 
past eight o'clock, and we worked hard, 
sah. W^e digged a hole big enough to set 
a small house in, John, he kep' bearin' 
on de rod, an' de rod it kep' goin' down. 
Den de rod at las' struck sumpn; and we 
was so glad, thinkin' we'd struck de pot! 
Every one was rejoiced! We didn' talk, 



CONQUEST OF JAMESBY. 57 

but jes fling up de dirt! An' when we dig 
down dere, sah, what you spose 'twas. 
Nothin' but a big oie cov/'s horn. An' 
after all dat diggin' ! We done an' digged 
a hole 'bout fifteen or twenty feet across, 
and goodness knows how deep; an' 'twas 
'bout four in de mornin' before we quit. 
We pack up an' come back home, feelin' 
jes as cheap as a wet chicken. 

•*De ole 'oman come 'roun agin, an' tole 
us dat de money was dere; fer de sperit 
had tole her agin 'twas dere. But we 
warn't anxious to try for it agin. We 
thought we done enough.'' 

Old Henry chuckled, and limped away; 
and we both laughed heartily at his droll 
yarn. Jamesby enjoyed the tale partic- 
ularly; and, although I felt that it might 
somehow be at my expense, I was duly 
amused. 

When Jamesby descended from his hi- 
larious heights, he turned to me rather 



58 CONQUEST OF JAMESBY. 

gravely, and said, *'Now, I want it from 
your own lips; did you really dig for 
money en Money Island?" 

I answered, *•! did." 

"And," he continued, '*was that a true 
story you told about it?" 

*'Now, Jamesby," I replied, **1 really 
cannot endure this doubt cast upon the 
truthfulness of my story. 1 decline to 
discuss the matter. You have read the 
paper, and you know me as the author of 
the story.'' 

**But," he added in rather a comical 
tone, * 'there are some things which (with 
all due respect for your trustworthiness) 
cell for a more positive confirmation." 

I knew I would not have written any- 
thing on so important a subject without 
proper consideration; and he knew it too. 
However, I realized the fact that an effort 
to believe such a story as I had offered to 
the public may have made a somewhat 



CONQUEST OF JAMESBY. 59 

weighty demand upon credulity, at least 
with some people. To answer his last 
suggestion, I merely drew out of my 
pocket a copy of the **8avannah Morning 
News", containing an account of a strang- 
er's mysterious movements about War- 
saw Island near Savannah, and his sud- 
den disappearance, leaving good evidence 
that he had carried with him a hidden 
treasure found there, and which tradition 
had stated lay upon the Island. I also 
reminded him of the fact that Dutch is- 
land near Savannah is full of what are 
known as **treasure holes", which have 
been made by persons seeking the buried 
booty of the pirates of the olden times. 
He knew all about these; and he had also 
heard that some of the enterprising ex- 
plorers into the mysteries of that island 
had been successful. 

But Jamesby was still incredulous. So 
I turned the conversation to my fowls; 



60 CONQUEST OF JAMESBY. 

and he was very ready to admit that I 
had told the genuine thing in describing 
to him some of the excellent points of my 
prize birds. There was no doubt that I 
could exhibit several specimens which 
any fancier would be proud of. 

Jamesby remained to tea, so that we 
could go to the lodge together, and I en- 
joyed the quiet stroll down town with 
him. We had hardly entered the hall, 
though, before the historian of the town, 
who is also a leading Mason, approached 
me regarding my Money Island revela- 
tions. "Sir," he said, "I regard it 
throughout as a most interesting and 
plausible narrative; and I am glad we 
have been favored by being allowed to 
read it. I have made a study of the pi- 
rates who infested our coast in the early 
colonial days, and I know that this sec- 
tion, particularly the lower region of the 
Cape Fear, was a favorite rendezvous for 



CONQUEST OF JAMESBY. 61 

them. It is known upon most reliable 
information that there are immense quan- 
tities of captured treasure secreted along 
the coast, and the wonder is that there 
have not been some really serious efforts 
to find it." 

Another gentleman added, '*Yes, and 
they also buried treasure further down 
South; for at my old home (and I speak 
the honest trath) I have stood in the hole 
from which my friend, Mr, Coachman, 
unearthed accidentally a small fortune, 
which gave him a very comfortable start 
in life." 

The conversation lingered in this ab- 
sorbing vein until the meeting was open- 
ed, much to my relief; for I had been 
surfeited with the subject of money find- 
ing for that day, at least. But thcjt was 
not all; for, during the solemnity of the 
opening exercises, I heard some one tell- 
ing, in an undertone, of a negro who had 



62 CONQUEST OF JAMESBY. 

found a roll of old bank notes in a log 
which had been hauled to a saw mill to 
be cut. 

The next day I was still aware that I 
possessed an unusual attraction; and I 
resigned myself patiently to the service 
of ail my inquiring friends. Jaraesby ac- 
tually stopped by my office to walk up 
with me at lunch time He was willing 
to move along slowly with me, for now 
in my old age I find I have to walk slow- 
ly. I knew it would have been more nat- 
ural for him to have gone on briskly; but 
he was polite and assured me that the 
pleasure of my company was better than 
too much time spent at his meal. 

We stopped on the way at a newspaper 
office. The editor and proprietor had ob- 
served our approach, and they were 
awaiting us with looks of amused inter- 
est. *'Hello!" the proprietor said cheeri- 
ly, "you have really stimulated the en- 



CONQUEST OF JAMESBY. 63 

terprise of the town. Why have you 
kept so reticent oh that subject all these 
years?" 

Of course, I knew what subject was 
referred to; for I had been living for those 
tvv^o days in an atmosphere filled with 
the phantoms of hidden gold, buried 
treasure, marvelous discoveries, pirates 
and other engaging topics of thought; 
and I now looked for nothing else. 

'*In my opinion," he continued, *'it was 
a very good story. Of course, it goes 
without saying that it is true. I tell you, 
sir, that it is my J udgmen t that this whole 
section of coast line is rich in gold. Not 
only did those pirates bury gold here, 
but, during the Civil War, the Confeder- 
ate blockade runners, when fearing cap- 
ture, were known repeatedly to throw 
gold into the sea along the beach, some- 
times by the keg full; and not one dol- 
lar's worth of it has ever yet been recov- 



64 CONQUEST OF JAMESBY. 

ered, so far as I can learn. It is all right 
there where they dropped it. And be- 
sides that, at le£ist on one occasion, it is 
a well proven fact that a chest of gold 
was buried by the commander of one of 
the blockade runners in the marsh grass 
on the shore not far below Wilmington; 
and there is no evidence that it has ever 
yet been unearthed. In fact, all knowl- 
edge of the exact spot has been lost, I 
understand." 

"Yes,'' interposed the editor, ''it is all 
quite reasonable; and, as something ger- 
main to the subject, I can cite an inter- 
esting instance. When, soon after the 
War our old Confederate naval captain 
bought his home on Greenville Sound and 
vfas preparing to build his residence, he 
had the old house which stood upon the 
site torn down, and, upon the carpenters 
coming one morning to begin the erection 
of the new building, they found an im- 



CONQUEST OF JAMESBY. 65 

mense excavation right where the old 
house stood. Now, that old building was 
in former years used by a Portuguese ss 
an inn for the entertainment of sailors 
from the vessels in the port of Wilming- 
ton; and, there being certain traditions 
in regard to some money having been 
buried beneath it, it was natural to con- 
clude that the excavation resulted from 
an energetic effort to find the money. 
The hole was made at night, but by whom 
it has never been found out. The inci- 
dent was shrouded in a mystery which 
has never been cleared." 

We talked still further along that vein, 
the editor emphatically asserting his as- 
sured belief in the possibility of recover- 
ing quantities of gold from the seashore 
below Wilmington, and from the decay- 
ing hulks of blockade runners that rise a 
little here and there above the waves, 
where they met a disastrous check to 



66 CONQUEST OF JAMESBY. 



their efforts to slip into the harbor. 

As we started out again upon the street, 
Jamesby said, *'Well, sir, — pardon my 
frankness — but I must say that I have 
never found your company so interesting 
before; and 1 shall be equally frank in 
saying that — i have never been able yet 
to believe half the tales I have heard 
about the mysterious discovery of buried 
treasure. There is something so unsub- 
stantial about most of them. Of course, 
there may be some exceptions, and — " 

*'Jamesby," 1 interrupted in good hu- 
mor, "don't let your frankness expire for 
the lack of the proper courage. Let your 
speech continue during the whole run of 
an honest statement. But it's all right. 
I have some indisputable proofs — " 

"Good morning!" It was young Rig- 
gins who joined us. "I read that story 
of yours, sir. It was good, I must say. 
It is just like something that happened 



CONQUEST OF JAMESBY. 67 

in my own personaJ experience. A few 
months ago, I was down at Homosassa, 
Florida; and, while I was there, some 
ciam diggers discovered a large chest of 
old Spanish coin. They sold them to the 
Government for thirty thousand dollars, 
and have now retired from the clam busi- 
ness." 

That was a tale rather to the point, and 
Jamesby received it soberly; but I laugh- 
ed out of sheer appreciation of another 
good yarn. 

I did not see Jamesby for several days. 
I knew it was his busy season; but I real- 
ly wished to know how he fared. So, 
I decided to look him up. He was a hap- 
py, enthusiastic, ingenuous young fellow, 
and I had become quite accustomed to 
having his cheerful company occasion- 
ally. 

I found him sitting at his desk in in- 
tense abstraction; but he soon observed 
me standing before him, and quickly 



68 CONQUEST OF JAMESBY. 

arose with a hearty welcome, such as he 
alone knew how to extend. 

*'I tell you, sir,'* he said enthusiast!- 
cally, *'it is a magniticent project!" 

'•What is?" I answered. "I don't 
know — " 

"Oh," he continued, absently, *'I for- 
got; it was my brother I was talking 
with. But I have investigated thorough- 
ly the whole subject of those blockade 
runners, and I believe the prospect of 
s access is worth a giant effort for the re- 
covery of some of that money from the 
sea. "^There must be untold quantities of 
it lying there, inviting even a meagre at- 
tempt to get it. The boats can be char- 
tered cheaply; and I have learned that 
the necessary divers can be secured on 
an equitable division of the spoils. There 
are many details of the organization of 
the enterprise which I have thought out." 

His voice had an eager ring, and his 
eyes sparkled with interest. 

"Jamesby, my boy," I answered calm- 
ly, **you are decidedly on the right track. 
I wish you all good fortune," 



LEFe'03 




MONEY ISLAND 



ANDREW J. HOWELL, Jr. 



